Heat Pump and Air Conditioner Exterior Condenser Cover

ABSTRACT

This invention is a semi-rigid, lightweight cover that protects the top and sides of the exterior components of a heat pump or air conditioning system, (exterior condenser or packaged systems) from excess moisture, frozen precipitation and debris. By protecting the unit from exposure to the weather and the intrusion of foreign material, this cover will guard against premature mechanical failure and decreased efficiency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exterior components of heat pump or air conditioning systems are by design to be exposed to the weather variations. The manufactured cover is designed to protect the unit and allow air flow to and from the unit. During operation air is drawn to and across the coil area and into the interior of the unit and exhausted by the fan/blower to the exterior of the unit. This action inherently will draw in moisture, frozen precipitation or debris into and against the coil area. This can cause the coils to become restricted causing the unit's efficiency to decrease or the unit to fail. Moisture, frozen precipitation or debris can enter the fan/blower area of the unit and restrict the operation of the mechanical components contained therein. This restriction can cause the unit to fail.

Normally these systems are located either in areas in close proximity to the roof edges of buildings which increases the exposure to weather and debris by concentrating runoff onto the top of the units. Units are also often surrounded by vegetation to seclude them from the building's exterior, which increases exposure to various shedding's from annual vegetative cycles and pruning. Units can also be exposed to debris from normal seasonal yard maintenance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a dome shaped, semi-rigid, lightweight cover (FIG. 1) that protects the exterior components of heat pump and air conditioning systems, (exterior condenser or packaged systems), by decreasing exposure to weather and debris.

The cover is constructed of nylon or canvas material, (FIG. 12) treated to be water and sunlight resistant. The cover has 4 horizontal crescent shaped sides connected along the convex curved sides, forming a dome shaped cover (FIG. 12). However the cover could be an geodesic shape with similar components and of sufficient size to adequately cover the unit. A sleeve is attached along the interior corners from the top to the bottom of the corners (FIG. 10). The top cover is supported and shaped by two flexible poles that are held in place at the center of the outside edge of each panel in these sleeve (FIG. 5). The poles are contained with the sleeve material at the bottom of the corners and secured into the ground or concrete slab by a spike or a mechanical connection (FIG. 14 & FIG. 15) to the slab. The top cover will cause precipitation and debris to be shed from the top and each side the cover.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—A left side elevation showing the various components of the heat pump condenser cover, indicating the outline of the condensing unit under the cover

FIG. 2—A front elevation showing the various components of the heat pump condenser cover with dimensions, indicating the outline of the condensing unit under the cover

FIG. 3—A right side elevation showing the various components of the heat pump condenser cover, indicating the outline of the condensing unit under the cover

FIG. 4—A front elevation showing the various components of the heat pump condenser cover.

FIG. 5—A plan view indicating components of the heat pump condenser cover and the location of Section A-A

FIG. 6—Section A-A showing a cross section of the heat pump condenser cover through the center looking from the front. The drawing shows various components of the cover.

FIG. 7—A plan view indicating components of the heat pump condenser cover.

FIG. 8—Section B-B showing a cross section of the heat pump condenser cover off center between the condensing unit and a typical duct work connection on a package system, looking from the rear. The drawing shows various components of the cover.

FIG. 9—Section C-C showing a cross section of the heat pump condenser cover off center between the condensing unit and a typical duct work connection on a package system, looking from the side. The drawing shows various components of the cover.

FIG. 10—Depicts the individual canvas pieces of the heat pump condenser cover, with descriptions of each piece.

FIG. 11—Shows a plan detail of the top vent cover and the location of Section D-D

FIG. 12—Shows a cross section and detail of the top vent cover at Section D-D

FIG. 13—Shows the two semi-rigid support poles crossing at the top center of the heat pump condenser cover.

FIG. 14—Shows a typical ground spike to secure the semi-rigid pole into the ground at each corner of the heat pump condenser cover around the perimeter of the concrete slab.

FIG. 15—Shows a typical mechanical connection to secure the semi-rigid pole into the concrete slab at each corner of the heat pump condenser cover into the concrete slab.

A flexible mesh material with a ⅛″ to 3/16″ mesh opening will be attached in the D shaped opening created along the concave bottom edge of the solid panel to the bottom edge of the cover along the ground (FIG. 12). This mesh material will serve as protection from debris and precipitation being blown or drawn against the coil areas of the unit, but allow adequate air flow to the unit. For packaged systems an opening in one side will accommodate duct work attached to the air handler) (FIG. 11 & FIG. 13)

An air vent is attached along top of the cover to allow the air from the fan unit . The vent opening will have flexible mesh material attached to protect the unit from the intrusion of debris. A flexible cover is attached to the exterior cover over the vent opening and will extend around the perimeter of the opening at least 15% of the opening dimension. The cover will be attached across the top of the vent opening. The sides and bottom of the vent cover will be attached to allow vent cover to open 50% of the width of the vent. 

1. This invention references provisional patent No. 61/996,948. The purpose of this invention is to protect the exterior condensing unit from accumulation of foreign material/matter that can result in restrictions of air flows to the unit, thereby decreasing efficiency and increasing the potential for unit failure. The cover will protect the unit from accumulations of ice and snow, which will reduce incidences of freezing during periods of freezing weather. The cover will protect the unit from accumulations of ice and snow, which will reduce restrictions and impediments of the fan and other moving parts during periods of ice and snowfall. The cover will protect the unit by restricting debris, i.e., leaves, sticks, grass, etc., from accumulating on the sides of the unit thereby restricting air flow into the unit, which will reduce efficiency and cause premature mechanical failure. The cover will protect the unit by restricting, debris, i.e., leaves, sticks, grass, etc., from entering any openings in the unit which restricts air flow impede the fan and other moving parts, reduce efficiency and cause premature mechanical failure. The cover will protect the unit from direct sunlight, reducing operating temperatures and the effects of ultraviolet deterioration. 